Synthesis and characterization of functionalized silica as fillers of polymeric systems

This study investigates the functionalization of sol-gel silica with selected organic species, and compares the materials obtained to a commercially available silica functionalized under comparable conditions. Anilines with different active groups were grafted onto the surface of the silicas, via reaction with key surface sites, to modulate the hydrophobicity of the materials. The properties of the functionalized materials, as determined by FT-IR, DTA-TGA and nitrogen adsorption (surface area, S_BET) are discussed.